PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mohammed Kahn (ranked 26 p4p, 72 weight class) and Ruslan Karelin (ranked 7 p4p, 17 weight class). Kahn's entrance music is كارتل مدان. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kahn
vs
Karelin

188 cm
30
205
20 - 5 - 1

190 cm
33
206
18 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mohammed Kahn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karelin misses the jab.
Kahn with a nice calf kick.
Kahn misses with an uppercut.
Karelin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kahn swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Karelin.
Nice uppercut there from Kahn.

It looks like Ruslan Karelin has been cut.
Kahn throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Karelin to counter with a crisp jab.
Kahn throws a hook to the side of Karelin's head but Karelin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kahn throws a lazy right hand but Karelin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Karelin! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karelin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Karelin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kahn.
Karelin throws out a counter right but Kahn avoids it with no problem.
Kahn throws a lazy right hand but Karelin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kahn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karelin tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahn lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kahn throws a jab when Karelin was well out of range.
Karelin changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kahn has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Convicted Fight Club in the buildup to the fight.
Kahn throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Karelin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kahn scores with a jab to the head.
Kahn connects with an inside leg kick.
Kahn throws a jab when Karelin was well out of range.
Karelin checks a leg kick nicely.
Kahn throws a lazy uppercut
and Karelin counters with a straight right hand.
Karelin avoids the body shot from Kahn.
Karelin slips under a jab from Kahn.
Karelin appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kahn throws a head kick that misses.
It seemed like Karelin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Karelin takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahn throws a leg kick which misses Karelin's front leg but catches the back leg as Karelin tries to avoid it.
Kahn misses with a jab to the body
and Karelin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kahn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Kahn misses.
Karelin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kahn.
Karelin steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Kahn misses with a leg kick
and Karelin counters with a straight right hand.
Kahn throws a hook but Karelin blocks it.
Karelin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A big right from Kahn misses.
It seemed like Karelin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A shot to the body from Kahn misses
and Karelin counters with a straight right hand.
A lazy body kick from Kahn

so Karelin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Karelin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kahn is keeping the position for now.

Karelin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin wants to pass the guard but Kahn is keeping the position.
Karelin passes Kahn's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kahn keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Karelin wants to pass to mount but Kahn is defending the position.

Karelin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kahn defends it well.
Karelin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Karelin prevents Kahn from improving his position.
Karelin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Karelin trying to control from half guard but Kahn is working away.

Karelin wants to work for an arm triangle but Kahn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Karelin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kahn works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mohammed Kahn will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Karelin's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kahn scores with a crisp jab that stopped Karelin in his tracks.
Mohammed Kahn is winning the standup battle so far.
Kahn is looking to land body kicks.
And Karelin responds with a good body kick, but Kahn manages to step out the way in time.
Kahn lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
An inside leg kick from Kahn misses.
Kahn throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
enabling Karelin to counter with a crisp jab.
Kahn wants to land a leg kick but Karelin is out of range.
Karelin tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kahn thumps Karelin with a low kick.
Kahn misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karelin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kahn throws out the jab.
Kahn swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kahn misses with a wild body shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kahn!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahn misses with a straight right.
Kahn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karelin can do to turn this around?
Kahn thumps Karelin with a low kick.
Kahn throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Karelin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kahn thumps Karelin with a low kick.
Karelin moves out of range of the strikes.
Mohammed Kahn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A good leg kick by Kahn.
Kahn throws a lazy right hand but Karelin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Karelin throws the left hand but Kahn avoids the punch easily.
Karelin might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kahn throws a leg kick that is checked
and Karelin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kahn getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A low kick from Kahn misses

and Karelin counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Karelin seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin is pressing down on Kahn's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kahn is holding on for now.
Karelin uses his free foot to push down on Kahn's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kahn.

Karelin goes for an armbar but Kahn turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kahn.

Karelin looking for a guillotine here but Kahn defends easily.
Karelin trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karelin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kahn advances position into side control!
You can see the frustration on Karelin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Karelin wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Karelin struggling a bit here.
Kahn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Karelin keeps working.
Karelin tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Karelin tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Karelin strikes from the bottom but Kahn takes advantage and advances to full mount!
Karelin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kahn takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karelin holds on to Kahn around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Karelin flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Karelin throwing hammer fists to the chest of Kahn. What's that going to do exactly?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammed Kahn dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Karelin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kahn fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kahn finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kahn backing away here, and Karelin unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A left lands for Kahn.
Kahn throws a lazy right hand but Karelin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Karelin changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kahn scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kahn throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
letting Karelin counter with a right hand.
Karelin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kahn getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kahn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kahn throws a leg kick that misses.
Kahn keeps the fight on the outside.
Karelin dives in and grabs Kahn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kahn pushes down on Karelin's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahn's jab looks to have found its range, popping Karelin under the eye.
Kahn swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Karelin.
Kahn throws a shot to the body.
Kahn circles away from the clinch attempt.
Karelin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Karelin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kahn looks to land a left hand but Karelin moved out of range nicely.
Crunch! Kahn slams his shin into Karelin's torso.
Kahn lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kahn throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Karelin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A bone on bone clash there as Karelin blocks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Kahn - just one landing.
Kahn catches Karelin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karelin slips under a jab from Kahn.

Karelin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kahn's half guard.

Karelin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kahn works his way to full guard. Good work.
Karelin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kahn is controlling Karelin's posture.
Karelin trying to control but Kahn is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahn pulls Karelin in to control the position.
Karelin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kahn is keeping the position for now.
Ruslan Karelin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kahn wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Karelin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kahn is keeping the position for now.
Karelin wants to control from the top but Kahn keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kahn fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kahn thows a body kick. Karelin tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kahn throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Karelin counters with a stiff right hand.
A big left from Kahn misses.
Karelin avoids the body shot from Kahn.

Karelin clinches up with Kahn and pushes him back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Karelin.
A nice left hand lands by Karelin.
A left hand lands to the body for Kahn.
Kahn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kahn digs a right hand underneath Karelin's ribcage. Karelin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karelin throws a punch but it's blocked by Kahn.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammed Kahn clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Karelin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kahn walks into a left hand.
A head kick misses from Kahn.
Karelin drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kahn defends it well.
Kahn throws the left hand but Karelin avoids the punch easily.
Kahn stuns Karelin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Karelin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kahn feints and then cracks Karelin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Karelin down.

Karelin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Karelin jumps guard but Kahn turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kahn lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kahn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahn misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kahn.
Kahn tries a body shot but Karelin blocks it.
Karelin misses with some punches.
Kahn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Karelin backwards.
Karelin misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kahn to keep the fight standing.
Kahn throws a punch but it's blocked by Karelin.
Karelin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Karelin tries to pull guard but Kahn holds him up against the cage and eventually Karelin drops back down to his feet.
Mohammed Kahn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Karelin.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Karelin.
Karelin throws a head punch that misses.
Karelin misses with the head strike.
Kahn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Karelin misses with the head strike.
Karelin misses with some punches.
Kahn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kahn lands a shot to the body.
Karelin is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Karelin jumps guard but Kahn turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Good body shot from Kahn.
Karelin prevents a body shot from Kahn.
Kahn lands a nice shot to the body.
Karelin takes a shot to the head.
Kahn lands a right hand.
Kahn lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Kahn.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karelin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kahn lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kahn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kahn digs a right hand underneath Karelin's ribcage. Karelin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kahn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kahn.
Kahn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Karelin backwards.
Kahn lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Karelin has a couple of punches blocked by Kahn.
Karelin tries to pull guard but Kahn won't allow it.
Kahn lands a right hand.
Karelin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kahn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karelin backwards.
Kahn lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Karelin.
Kahn lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kahn pushes Karelin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kahn lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Karelin.
Still in the clinch, Kahn scores with a nice short uppercut.

Karelin is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Kahn as the two fighters clinch.
Karelin throws a head punch that misses.
A short body shot lands from Kahn as the two fighters clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kahn.
Karelin is still on wobbly legs! Can Kahn finish him?
Kahn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Kahn on the inside.
Kahn creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Karelin's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Karelin drops to his knees and Kahn pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mohammed Kahn!
A victorious Mohammed Kahn thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.